US4549609A — Treating fines-containing earthen formations

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

A method for conditioning a fines-containing, earthen formation including both surface and subsurface strata, to increase the flow of fluids through the formation which comprises injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR3## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 119 words

A method for conditioning a fines-containing, earthen formation including both surface and subsurface strata, to increase the flow of fluids through the formation which comprises injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR3## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for treating a fines-containing earthen formation, including both surface and subsurface strata, to stabilize the said formation against clay swelling and particle migration comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR4## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 120 words

A method for treating a fines-containing earthen formation, including both surface and subsurface strata, to stabilize the said formation against clay swelling and particle migration comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR4## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 120 words

In a method for enhanced oil recovery from a fines-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well wherein steam is injected into the formation, the improvement which comprises injecting along with the steam an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR5## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 120 words

In a method for enhanced oil recovery from a fines-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well wherein steam is injected into the formation, the improvement which comprises injecting along with the steam an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR5## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for stimulating a fines-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR6## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for stimulating a fines-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characterized by the formula: ##STR6## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 40 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the amount of the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is more than 0.1 to 25 percent by weight based on the weight of boiler feedwater used to generate the steam.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 39 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the amount of the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is about 0.5 to 5 percent by weight based on the weight of boiler feedwater used to generate the steam.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 27 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is added to the boiler feedwater used to generate the steam.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 21 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is added to the steam.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 39 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the earthen formation is a subsurface stratum penetrated by a well and the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is added to the steam at the surface of the well.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 41 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the earthen formation is a subsurface stratum penetrated by a well and the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is added to the steam downhole before the steam enters the subsurface stratum.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 16 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the fines include water-swellable clays.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 34 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is an amide of carbamic acid selected from the group consisting of urea, biuret, triuret and ammonium carbamate.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 18 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is urea.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 18 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is thiourea.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 31 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is a derivative of carbamic acid selected from the group consisting of monomethylolurea and dimethylolurea.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 50 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen is a tertiary carboxylic acid amide, substituted tertiary carboxylic acid amide or derivative of a tertiary carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of formamide, acetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-dipropylacetamide, N,N-dimethylpropionamide and N,N-diethylpropionamide.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 41 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the organic radical which comprises R is an alkyl group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms or an α-hydroxy substituted alkyl group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 35 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the organic radicals which comprise R 1 and R 2 are the same or different alkyl groups containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 40 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the method for conditioning increases the permeability of the earthen formation at least 50 percent based on the permeability prior to the carrying out of the method for conditioning.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 40 words

The method defined in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the method for conditioning increased the permeability of the earthen formation at least 150 percent based on the permeability prior to the carrying out of the method for conditioning.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for treating an earthen formation including both surface and subsurface strata, to stimulate the flow of fluids through the formation comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an ammonium ion or ammonia precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, and tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivaties characterized by the formula: ##STR7## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for treating an earthen formation including both surface and subsurface strata, to stimulate the flow of fluids through the formation comprising injecting into the formation steam containing an ammonium ion or ammonia precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, and tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivaties characterized by the formula: ##STR7## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 99 words

In a method for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well wherein steam is injected into the formation, the improvement which comprises injecting along the steam an ammonium ion or ammonia precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, and tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characteized by the formula: ##STR8## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 99 words

In a method for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well wherein steam is injected into the formation, the improvement which comprises injecting along the steam an ammonium ion or ammonia precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, and tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives characteized by the formula: ##STR8## wherein (1) R is hydrogen or an organic radical, (2) R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals, and (3) X is oxygen or sulfur.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 35 words

The method defined in claims 21 or 22 wherein the amount of precursor employed is more than 0.1 to 25 percent by weight based on the weight of boiler feedwater used to generate the steam.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method defined in claim 23 wherein the precursor is employed urea.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method defined in claim 21 or 22 wherein the precursor is employed urea.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1988-10-28	1989-04-29	1989-10-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1992-10-28	1993-04-29	1993-10-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1996-10-28	1997-04-29	1997-10-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Treating fines-containing earthen formations

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